NC Controlled Substances Reporting System

This statewide reporting system was established by North Carolina law to improve the state’s ability to identify people who abuse and misuse prescription drugs classified as Schedule II-V controlled substances (Defined). It is also meant to assist clinicians in identifying and referring for treatment patients misusing controlled substances. The NC Commission for, and the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services make rules and manage the program. (For more information, please visit the NC General Assembly website: http://www.ncleg.net/ for Chapter 90, Article 5 and Senate Bill 222).

Program Goals

To identify and prevent diversion of prescribed controlled substances.

To reduce morbidity and mortality from unintentional drug overdoses. To reduce the costs associated with the misuse and abuse of controlled substances.

To assist clinicians in identifying and referring for treatment patients misusing controlled substances.

To reduce the cost for law enforcement of investigating cases of diversion and misuse.

To inform the public, including health care professionals, of the use and abuse trends related to prescription drugs.

Application for Access to the System

Please note that all applications must be notarized, whether from prescribers, dispensers or individuals requesting their own personal information. Everyone also must provide a government-issued ID with their application. We do NOT accept faxed applications. Mail applications to:

Please see the Practitioner's Training Guide (pages 4-7) for instructions on how to request access and link accounts.

Please note:

The ability to delegate is limited to practitioners licensed in North Carolina.

There is no limit on the number of delegates a Delegator may have, however it is strongly recommended that the number of delegates is limited to a number manageable by the Delegator.

Delegates must work under the direction and supervision of the Delegator.

The Delegator is responsible for all delegate activity.

Delegate account access is only for those who do not have prescribing authority. Physicians, Residents, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Dentists and Pharmacists cannot be a delegate.

Who Has Access to Information in the CSRS?

Information submitted through this reporting system is privileged, confidential and not considered a public record. Information may only be released under certain circumstances to people authorized to receive the information. People authorized to get information from the system include:

Practitioners and dispensers of controlled substances for the purpose of providing medical care for their patients.

Special Agents of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation who are assigned to the Diversion & Environmental Crimes Unit.

Assigned special agents of the primary monitoring authorities for other states.

A court through a lawful court order in a criminal action.

The Division of Medical Assistance (DMA).

Certain licensing boards.

Medical Examiners for the purpose of investigating the death of an individual.

Penalties for Misuse of the CSRS

There are financial penalties for misusing the information. There are also financial penalties available to a person whose information is misused.